With a US TikTok ban looming, millions of Americans have found an unlikely refuge on RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese lifestyle app often called “Little Red Book.” While traditionally used for beauty, food, and travel tips, the app is now at the center of a unique cultural exchange between US and Chinese users. The shift has created an unexpected space where memes, jokes, and candid conversations about life are bridging the digital divide between two global superpowers.
Why it matters
- RedNote’s US popularity surged when TikTok users, anticipating the January 19 ban, searched for alternative platforms. The app climbed to the top of Apple’s US App Store, amassing 700,000 downloads in just two days and catching RedNote’s Shanghai-based parent company off guard.
- Unlike TikTok, which operates separate versions for Chinese and international audiences, RedNote allows global interaction on a single platform, creating an unprecedented space for US-China dialogue.
- RedNote’s sudden rise as a platform for cross-cultural interaction highlights the complex relationship between global connectivity and national security. As the US government cites concerns over Chinese surveillance to justify a TikTok ban, users have flocked to another Chinese app, poking fun at the very fears driving the policy. Meanwhile, Chinese users are welcoming this influx with humor, questions, and a spirit of curiosity.
- This phenomenon provides rare, direct interaction between ordinary citizens from two countries often at odds politically, fostering a kind of digital diplomacy that no government could have orchestrated.
The big picture
The migration to RedNote, described by some as a protest against government overreach, comes as TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to sell its US assets or be banned outright.
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Despite TikTok’s assurances that US user data is not shared with the Chinese government, Washington remains skeptical, citing a 2017 Chinese law requiring companies to assist state intelligence operations.
Ironically, many TikTok users are now turning to RedNote—a platform with even stronger ties to China. Unlike TikTok, which operates through separate apps for domestic (Douyin) and international audiences, RedNote is a single platform serving both. This dynamic has made RedNote a digital meeting ground for American and Chinese users, who are using humor and creativity to bond.
Zoom in
Memes, cats, and ‘finding my spy’: The cultural exchange on RedNote has been both amusing and insightful. As per BBC report, Americans have embraced self-deprecating humor, continuing a TikTok trend of joking about their “personal Chinese spies” who allegedly monitor them. Posts like “I’m looking for my Chinese spy. I miss you. Please help me find him,” have drawn cheeky replies from Chinese users: “I’m here!”
In one post, a Chinese user requested “cat taxes” from American newcomers—a demand for pet photos in exchange for using the app. This led to a flood of cat pictures, with captions like, “From California, here’s Bob and Marley!” Beyond the memes, users have engaged in earnest discussions about food, TV shows, and everyday life. One popular topic among Chinese users is the authenticity of American life as portrayed in shows like Friends.
Digital diplomacy meets censorship
For many US users, RedNote’s censorship rules have been an eye-opener. The app operates under China’s strict internet regulations, which restrict discussions on sensitive topics like politics, religion, and LGBTQ+ issues. Several users have already reported content removals, including posts asking whether the platform is LGBTQ-friendly or what Chinese people think about gay rights.
Chinese users have gently warned their American counterparts to avoid “sensitive topics” and respect the One China policy, which emphasizes Taiwan as part of China. Despite these limitations, the platform has remained a vibrant space for cultural exchange, with Chinese users sharing language tips and even asking Americans for help with their English homework.
The app’s growing pains
RedNote’s sudden popularity has caught its creators off guard. In just two days, the app gained over 700,000 new US users, pushing it to the top of Apple’s US App Store rankings. To manage this influx, the Shanghai-based company behind RedNote has been scrambling to hire English-speaking moderators and develop better translation tools.
The app’s user base, previously dominated by younger and middle-aged Chinese women, is now adjusting to a more diverse audience. Some Chinese users have expressed concerns about how the influx might change the platform’s content, while nationalist bloggers have criticized the American presence, warning of potential cultural “propaganda.”
Between the lines
The migration to RedNote underscores the irony of the TikTok ban. While Washington views Chinese apps as potential tools for surveillance, many Americans see their move to RedNote as an act of defiance, mocking the very premise of the ban. The app has also exposed Chinese users to a level of foreign interaction rarely permitted under Beijing’s Great Firewall, which blocks platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
For both sides, the experience has been enlightening. “We’re finding that the Chinese people are not so different from us,” said Heather Roberts, an American artist and new RedNote user. Her sentiment reflects the growing realization that shared human experiences can transcend geopolitical tensions.
What’s next
- The future of RedNote in the US: Despite its current success, RedNote faces an uncertain future in the US. The app’s ties to China make it a likely target for the same scrutiny that has plagued TikTok. American lawmakers may raise concerns about data privacy and potential misuse, further complicating the platform’s expansion efforts.
- Additionally, Beijing’s willingness to allow such unfettered exchanges may be tested if sensitive discussions proliferate. RedNote’s popularity could provoke tighter controls, limiting its appeal to international users.
- Can RedNote maintain its charm? The app’s long-term appeal depends on its ability to balance cultural inclusivity with the demands of Chinese regulations. While RedNote has the potential to achieve global success, its path will be fraught with challenges, from moderating content to maintaining user trust in a polarized internet landscape.
- A broader digital trend: RedNote’s rise also reflects a broader trend: Users seeking alternatives to dominant platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X. The migration signals growing dissatisfaction with Western tech giants and a willingness to explore global options, even those tied to geopolitically contentious countries.
(With inputs from agencies)